Palm Springs High Marching Band Need Help Getting To Rome's New Year's Day Parade

A local high school marching band is preparing to take its talents to the world stage.

Palm Springs High School’s “Spirit of the Sands” marching band is headed to Rome, Italy, where it will perform in one of the world’s most prestigious New Year’s Day parades.

The band was selected as one of only eight groups from across the United States to participate in the Rome New Year’s Day Parade, an event expected to draw hundreds of thousands of spectators to the city’s historic streets and millions more watching worldwide on PBS.

In addition to the parade performance, the students will also perform in the festival town of Frascati and inside a centuries-old church in Rome.

Band members and their director say the opportunity reflects years of dedication and hard work. The trip, however, comes with significant costs. Each student must raise about $3,900 to cover travel, instruments, and other expenses, and fundraising efforts are still ongoing.

With the performance just 10 days away, the band is asking for community support to help make the international trip possible. More information on how to donate can be found at psband.org, and band members say every contribution helps.